Music and Suicide: A Tragic History

Former X Factor finalist Simone Battle passed away.

Paul Williams - Paul Williams, founding frontman of the Temptations, was found fatally shot on Aug. 17, 1973. The coroner ruled that Williams killed himself, and, reportedly, he'd expressed suicidal thoughts before, but many of his family members continue to suspect that foul play was involved.  (Photo: Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Larry Troutman - After an alleged business dispute, Larry Troutman, percussionist and founding member of funk band Zapp, fatally shot his brother Roger, frontman of Zapp, and himself on April 25, 1999.  (Photo: Warner Bros.)
Shakir Stewart - Shakir Stewart, a rising music exec at Def Jam, shot himself on Nov. 1, 2008. Stewart was instrumental in signing Rick Ross and Young Jeezy to the legendary label.  (Photo: Ben Rose/WireImage)
Donny Hathaway, 'A Song for You' - This song is a classic and definitely sums up the precious nature of Kita's and Troy's growing love. We're putting in this song for them!(Photo: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

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56th NAACP Image Awards Highlights

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Larry Troutman - After an alleged business dispute, Larry Troutman, percussionist and founding member of funk band Zapp, fatally shot his brother Roger, frontman of Zapp, and himself on April 25, 1999. (Photo: Warner Bros.)

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